Mom Heart Moments #244

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

SOMETIMES I THINK IT IS BECAUSE most families are smaller these days that we micromanage little children. When a mom has numerous children who are constantly in need of food, clothing, and being trained to do chores and accomplish their responsibilities, she is much more gradual about the training of her little babies, and each just lives and grows naturally in the warp and woof of family life.

My children tended to learn together what the Clarkson values, manners, and expectations were. With asthmatic and ear-infected siblings, they often had to wait their turn. Life itself gave them ways to learn to be unselfish and to learn to serve, because I needed their help!

And eventually, they all grew up. None of them now need a pacifier, wear a diaper, or want to sleep with me every night! God has put maturity into children’s very DNA and brain cells. It is ours to be patient with the process, to enjoy it and to learn from it.

If we learn to walk with our children patiently and look to God for guidance while training them little by little, the mysterious life of God begins to work in and through their hearts and lives. We must remember to lean into the maturing process patiently and not fight it, and to cultivate joy along the way.

Do you realize that God is patient toward you and wants you to come to repentance —that He is not in heaven just waiting for a chance to whack you over the head, but longing to see you come to Him and be changed? He is not in a hurry or frustrated with your immaturity. Ask Him to reveal His heart and help you pass that grace along to your children.